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A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

Drake submitted the legal action in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the song to be published and marketed, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative stated he intended to challenge the ruling. UMG said it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge noted.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the track suggested.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated the court.

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, did not name his rival in the lawsuit.

His legal team alleged the label of initiating "an effort to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this case was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our work successfully marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper planned to appeal the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.